Long Term Evolution for Machines: LTE-M

LTE-M is the simplified industry term for the LTE-MTC low power wide area (LPWA) technology standard published by 3GPP in the Release 13 specification. It specifically refers to LTE CatM1, suitable for the IoT. LTE-M is a low power wide area technology which supports IoT through lower device complexity and provides extended coverage, while allowing the reuse of the LTE installed base. This allows battery lifetime as long as 10 years or more for a wide range of use cases, with the modem costs reduced to 20-25% of the current EGPRS modems.

Supported by all major mobile equipment, chipset and module manufacturers, LTE-M networks will co-exist with 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile networks and benefit from all the security and privacy features of mobile networks, such as support for user identity confidentiality, entity authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and mobile equipment identification. Commercial launches of LTE-M networks will take place globally in 2017/18.

The aim of the LTE-M Task Force is to provide all industry and wider ecosystem stakeholders with market representation to accelerate the wide-spread adoption of 3GPP-based LTE-M technology. LTE-M is addressing the low power wide area IoT market opportunity using licensed spectrum with the intent to scale global deployment in 2018/19. The Task Force Chair is Cameron Coursey, AT&T and the Vice-Chairs are Ronan Le Bras, Orange and Toshi Wakayama, KDDI.

The objectives of the LTE-M Task Force are:

Facilitate commercial launches of LTE-M solutions globally

Lead industry partners and the ecosystem to build a strong end-to-end industry chain for future growth and development of LTE-M

Reduce complexity of LTE-M device introduction

Drive and proliferate LTE-M applications in vertical markets for new business opportunities

Promote collaboration between all LTE-M industry partners to ensure interoperability of solutions

How to join the LTE-M Task Force

The LTE-M Task Force is open to GSMA Members and Associate Members, however all members must positively contribute to the Task Force’s high-level objectives, including promoting and deploying LTE-M technology and encouraging new service and application development. Non-GSMA Members are welcome to join the Mobile IoT Innovators, at the bottom of this page, to help create a vibrant ecosystem and keep up to date with the latest information and events.

If you would like to join the LTE-M Task Force please contact iot@gsma.com

Current Members

Altair Semiconductor

AT&T Mobility

Bell Mobility

Blackberry Limited

China Mobile

China Telecom

China Unicom

Cloud 9 Mobile

Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones

Ericsson

Etisalat

Gemalto

Huawei Technologies

iBasis, Inc

IDEMIA

JT (Jersey) Limited

KDDI Corporation

KPN B.V.

LG Uplus, Corp.

Marathon Telecom

Mediatek Inc.

Nokia

Orange

Qualcomm Inc.

Quectel Wireless Solutions Co.,Ltd

Radiomóvil Dipsa, S.A. de C.V.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Sequans Communications

Sierra Wireless Inc.

SingTel Mobile Singapore Pte. Ltd.

SoftBank Corp.

Spirent Communications

Sprint Corporation

Tele2 Eesti Aktsiaselts

Telecom Italia SpA

Telefónica UK Limited

Telekom Austria AG

Telit Communications S.p.A.

Telstra Corporation Limited

TELUS Communications Inc.

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Transaction Network Services, Inc.

Truphone Limited

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.

u-blox AG

Verizon Wireless

To help build a vibrant ecosystem around licensed spectrum LPWA technologies, the GSMA has created the Mobile IoT Innovators community consisting of developers, device makers, network vendors, operators and end customers. Sharing interviews with industry experts, case studies, use cases and other valuable information, this community helps stimulate insights and innovation. To receive monthly briefings and enjoy other exclusive benefits, join the Mobile IoT Innovators now.

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